Thread: Neb. councilman says talk on immigration needed

Neb. councilman says talk on immigration needed

COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) -- A city councilman says a council discussion this week skirted the real issue in the community: illegal immigration.

Columbus Councilman Joe Held says that's what he heard during a discussion Monday about occupancy rates in single-family homes.

But any discussion about what the city can do about illegal immigrants was cut off by council President Jim Bulkley and City Attorney Stephen Hansen. They limited discussion to agenda items.

Held says an open discussion on the topic is needed, but he's not sure if the council has the fortitude to host such a forum.

The Fremont City Council made such an attempt in July. It ultimately defeated a measure that would have banned renting to and hiring illegal immigrants.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/ ... 8-06-15-30

Held: Council skirts real issue
By Adrian Sanchez asanchez@columbustelegram.comTuesday, Oct 07, 2008 - 11:38:01 am CDT
COLUMBUS -- The City Council engaged in a lengthy conversation about occupancy rates in single-family homes Monday evening, but Councilman Joe Held said the council is skirting the real issue being discussed in the community -- illegal immigrants.

Although the council, acting as the Committee of the Whole, was focused on safety issues, street congestion and zoning codes associated with overcrowding and occupancy rates, Held said the agenda item was a veil over the true issue at hand.

“People are talking about illegals living in our community. That is what I am hearing,â€